“I feel like this amount of stuff is overkill.”

Chris mutters, lugging another heavy box up to the dorm and setting it down on the living room floor. Straightening up, he wipes the sweat from his brow, catching sight of you watching him from across the room. He stiffens for a split second, his brows knitting together as his gaze sweeps over you, sizing you up in a way that's both protective and assessing, as though he’s forming an impression based on every detail he can pick up.

“So, you’re her roomie, huh? I’m Chris, Claire’s brother. I’m just making sure that you’ll be taking good care of her, yeah?”

He flashes a wink, offering his hand in a firm shake with a hint of a grin playing at the corner of his mouth. Even in Claire’s absence he can’t resist the chance to tease, his tone is light but there is an underlying edge of seriousness to his words.